Wildfires sweep across Queensland

Large swathes of northeast Australia endured unprecedented fire danger yesterday, with 138 wildfires across Queensland state forcing schools to be closed and thousands of homes to be evacuated, officials said.

The fire danger was rated catastrophic in areas of central Queensland, the first time the highest danger rating had been applied to the state, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

She said 34 schools had been closed in the most threatened regions.

She warned families not to go out, to keep together and prepare to leave if needed.